Dieting Information, Weight Loss Programs and Diet Pills

Slim-Fast Diet

For more than 25 years, Slim-Fast has been requiring dieters to drink away pounds one shake at a time. Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of yesteryear, today’s Slim-Fast boasts personalized nutrition plans based on the dieter’s weight. The goal: to help participants shed one to two pounds a week. Dieters eat one self-created, "sensible: meal a day and replace the two remaining meals with Slim-Fast products ranging from shakes and bars to soups and frozen pasta entrées. To meet total daily calorie allotment, meals are supplemented by snacks (whether Slim-Fast products or other food -- think fruits and veggies). In addition to a tailored meal plan, Slim-Fast dieters receive exercise guidelines, online advice and support, and ongoing self-monitoring and tracking tools.

Slim-Fast’s longevity on the diet industry scene has allowed researchers to thoroughly investigate the diet’s effectiveness. The results, published in several scientific journals, show that sipping Slim-Fast shakes or munching on the company’s meal replacement bars can help dieters safely shed unwanted pounds -- and keep them off. The diet is basically a low-calorie plan that encourages portion control. Easy to do since the meal replacement products contain fewer calories than most Americans typically consume in one sitting. To keep up with the low carb craze, Slim-Fast introduced the Optima line, a carb-controlled version of their traditional products, which contain 55 percent less sugar and higher levels protein and fiber to boot. Both replacements weigh in with the same calorie counts and in either case, dieters swap out standard fare with Slim-Fast replacement products for two meals each day and tack on a 500-calorie sensible meal they create themselves. The three meals are supplemented by a variety of snacks ranging from 130-calorie Slim-Fast bars to whole foods, fruits and vegetables.

Is the Slim-Fast diet healthy?

Yes, as long as you supplement replacement meals with a balanced meal of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and work in some healthy snacks. The daily meal plan encourages a safe, steady weight loss of one to two pounds a week and dieters are urged to consume at least 1,200 calories per day. The only concern: can you return to eating real world food long-term without regaining weight.

What do the experts say?

According to Lona Sandon, Me.D., R.D., National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Slim-Fast offers structure and an easy, convenient way to control calories -- and she likes the plan’s emphasis on fruits and vegetables as snacks and add ons to meals. What she doesn’t like: “It does not replace the health benefits found in a diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy, along with heart-healthy fats,” says Sandon. She also notes that it may be tough for people to transition off the product to regular food without regaining weight.

Who should consider the Slim-Fast diet?

People who crave structure and convenience without a diet guru breathing down their necks. But dieters who enjoy cooking and eating fresh, whole foods may be disappointed with the ready-made meals.

Bottom Line

Slim-Fast is likely to yield the same results as other low-calorie plans, with added convenience. Studies show that meal replacement bars or shakes (like Slim-Fast) do help dieters peel away the pounds and keep them off. Trouble is, you lose the added health and taste benefits of real food.

Checklist

Slim-Fast Diet Books

The Slim-Fast Body, Mind, Life Makeover